Re: It's NBA time

Because when the Lakers acquired Malone and Payton to play with Shaq and Kobe and friends, everybody and his uncle crowned their asses before the season even started.

Nobody had the Pistons winning.

If I remember correctly the two best teams in the league going in and finishing that year were the Pacers and the Timberwolves who both ended up choking in the playoffs. But regardless, that really has nothing to do with how strategic this off season has been, the Lakers really got some good pieces as opposed to a geriatric all star team. This solidifies the future of the organization while maintaining it's eliteness over the next few seasons.

Re: It's NBA time

Nobody with any understanding of the game thought Malone or Payton were going contribute a heck of a lot, since they were way past their prime at that point. They ran into a quality team who played well together, which the lakers didn't then, and why I wouldn't automatically crown them now. Heat's first year together is an example of one.

Re: It's NBA time

This certainly does not mean sheer dominance in the West, regardless of the acquisitions made the Thunder are the team to beat and a slew of other teams were getting a lot better as the season progressed. I also think the Heat are going to get their panties in a bunch now that the Sixers have a quality big man which has been absent in the East for some time.

Re: It's NBA time

Originally Posted by santasutt

If they hit on just one of these 4 first rounders you will understand in five years.

Not going to do much good when these picks actually are finally made in 5 years. They are all lottery protected. Absolutely horrible deal for Orlando. Their new GM is horrible. The only team that did not get anything valuable was Orlando. Congrats Lakers on fucking fleecing the newbie.

Re: It's NBA time

Originally Posted by theklein25

That's not how it works Supre. Know your stuff before u correct someone

I know how it works Foster the People. I just want to discourage the bitter ass bitch. They need to make sure all the math is right and that all the players agree with this if thats contingent on it happening or not. As of right now, this shit is getting done.

And you know I am fucking right though, as much as Stern would want to stop this, he can't. This is fucking karma for what he did last year, and you know it.

Re: It's NBA time

Originally Posted by ThomThom

This certainly does not mean sheer dominance in the West, regardless of the acquisitions made the Thunder are the team to beat and a slew of other teams were getting a lot better as the season progressed. I also think the Heat are going to get their panties in a bunch now that the Sixers have a quality big man which has been absent in the East for some time.

Re: It's NBA time

Because when the Lakers acquired Malone and Payton to play with Shaq and Kobe and friends, everybody and his uncle crowned their asses before the season even started.

Nobody had the Pistons winning.

There are a few differences in this Laker team and that one. For starters, Kobe was in the middle of his sexual assault case and there was that distraction hanging over their heads the whole season.

The other issue was the active Kobe / Shaq feud that disrupted everything. By this point, it was obvious the two didn't get along and it carried over the to the basketball court. They had good numbers, but their chemistry was lacking.

Phil Jackson also had his issues with Kobe and we're talking about a coach that has been able to tolerate Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest.

I think we all see the common denominator in all of this.

Kobe is much more mature now than he was then and this team should not have the issues that team experienced. The question comes down to Mike Brown's handling of this squad. I guess they brought in Eddie Jordan as an assistant to implement the Princeton offense and if he is successful in doing so, the Lakers are going to be tough to beat.

No one is really "handing" the Lakers anything. Everyone knows OKC is still going to be tough to beat and the Heat are the defending champs with the best player on the planet. But just because a Laker squad from nine years ago failed doesn't necessarily mean this one will too. This rendition of the Lakers is going to be a lot more cohesive than that one.

Re: It's NBA time

OKC is in check this upcoming season. Both Harden and Ibaka are restricted free agents going into the 2013 off-season. If OKC can't handle the Lakers, I can't see them spending cash freely to keep their core. Unless they do a home team discount (a rarity these days), they're gonna get paid by another team. I mean, obviously they'll still be in a great spot with having Durant. But they aren't exactly the financial powerhouse that can pay the luxury tax to keep players like that together.

I expect a Lakers Heat finals this upcoming season. No matter how much I like Durant.

Re: It's NBA time

Im confused, why would Stern be against this trade? Stern has been fantasizing about Kobe vs. LeBron finals the day LeBron entered the league.

Absolutely dog shit trade. How do the Lakers get out of this without taking on any kind of junk contract? Orlando fuck you.

As for my Bulls. I AM DISAPPOINT. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to be a big market team that handles their business like we're the fucking Bobcats.

Stern would be against it because the new cba pretty much attempted to prevent this from happening. And it didn't benefit the city of new york or brooklyn, so he could have more reason to reject it due to los angeles still being basketball central as opposed to ny.

Re: It's NBA time

Im confused, why would Stern be against this trade? Stern has been fantasizing about Kobe vs. LeBron finals the day LeBron entered the league.

Absolutely dog shit trade. How do the Lakers get out of this without taking on any kind of junk contract? Orlando fuck you.

As for my Bulls. I AM DISAPPOINT. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to be a big market team that handles their business like we're the fucking Bobcats.

Stern would be against it because the new cba pretty much attempted to prevent this from happening. And it didn't benefit the city of new york or brooklyn, so he could have more reason to reject it due to los angeles still being basketball central as opposed to ny.

Re: It's NBA time

Typical answer. I like your use of fallacies. Also,I have a strange feeling you only watch Lakers playoff games

Typical LA sports fan. He also called the Hanley Ramirez trade a "blockbuster" deal.

Also, just because you have a star studded cast that doesn't mean you automatically win a championship. Look at the 1-8 line-up on the Yankees for Christ's sake. It's more or less an All-Star team. Also, see the Eagles and their "dream team", the Miami Heat from two years ago, etc.

Everyone also is overlooking the fact that Nash is 38 and can't play defense, Dwight Howard is coming off major back surgery, the Lakers have a shite bench, etc. Also, who's going to guard Durant and Westbrook?

"Hey everyone, it's me, 2015. I read all of your posts about the War On Drugs topping 2014 album of the year lists, and honestly I was a little weirded out by it too. So, here's a shitload of huge albums right up front to avoid that kind of situation again. Cool? Cool."